TSB 20-2277 2019-2020 Ranger - Shudder/Vibration When Accelerating From A Stop

[navsnipe]

It’s in right now

Did they take you to witness the angle readings?

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[ChiefQM]

Did they take you to witness the angle readings?

No. They pretty much avoided me the entire three hours I was waiting.

 

[y2krtaf]

Has anyone tried to video what is actually occurring to the driveline when this appends?
I would imagine if it’s indeed bad enough,it would be visible.Maybe once trucks start actually breaking other driveline parts,there will be a fix.
Mine does it also at initial star from a dead stop.

 

[ChiefQM]

Okay. I took the truck to the dealer this morning. They already had their marching orders apparently, as nobody but the flunky service writer met me, and he listened to what I told him and only wrote down "Customer says there is shaking on acceleration from dead stop." After a three hour wait where I was completely unmolested by staff, the service drive manager approached me and said it was "done". He handed me the RO, which said that they again came up with the 5.4 degrees of pinion angle, and noted that he had been instructed by the shop foreman (to appease me) to install a 1.0 degree shim, which resulted in a 4.2 degree pinion angle. I also shared with the service drive manager the info that Porpoise Hork posted about Ford AU/EU Rangers' having vibration issues and their sensitivity to driveline angles, that center bearing shim kits solved the problems there, and that somewhere down the road, that was going to be the prescribed fix for our Rangers. He smiled insincerely and I was out of there.

I drove it home and the ride was improved about 75% or more. On the way to the dealer this morning, I felt vibrations from about 17 mph up to 39, accelerating and at steady speeds. On the way home, I didn't feel any vibration until about 32 mph, and it only lasted through 36 mph or so. I have not driven it at highway speeds yet, hopefully it won't shake my teeth loose. I did crawl under the truck when I got home and observed that a shim had been installed on the left side. I haven't had time to measure it yet, but it looks to be about half the width of the shim that was there before (and it is still there). I will post other observations as I make them.

 

[HarryD]

They only installed one shim - on the left side??

 

[Ogden Dan]

Okay. I took the truck to the dealer this morning. They already had their marching orders apparently, as nobody but the flunky service writer met me, and he listened to what I told him and only wrote down "Customer says there is shaking on acceleration from dead stop." After a three hour wait where I was completely unmolested by staff, the service drive manager approached me and said it was "done". He handed me the RO, which said that they again came up with the 5.4 degrees of pinion angle, and noted that he had been instructed by the shop foreman (to appease me) to install a 1.0 degree shim, which resulted in a 4.2 degree pinion angle. I also shared with the service drive manager the info that Porpoise Hork posted about Ford AU/EU Rangers' having vibration issues and their sensitivity to driveline angles, that center bearing shim kits solved the problems there, and that somewhere down the road, that was going to be the prescribed fix for our Rangers. He smiled insincerely and I was out of there.

I drove it home and the ride was improved about 75% or more. On the way to the dealer this morning, I felt vibrations from about 17 mph up to 39, accelerating and at steady speeds. On the way home, I didn't feel any vibration until about 32 mph, and it only lasted through 36 mph or so. I have not driven it at highway speeds yet, hopefully it won't shake my teeth loose. I did crawl under the truck when I got home and observed that a shim had been installed on the left side. I haven't had time to measure it yet, but it looks to be about half the width of the shim that was there before (and it is still there). I will post other observations as I make them.

Take it up to freeway speeds and report back. My truck was marginally improved at low speed (2nd attempt), but then a high speed vibration issue developed at 75-80.

I'm back at the shop today for round 3. The service advisor and drive line specialist are a bit frustrated as well and indicated they have to follow Ford's lead on the specific diagnosis procedures blah blah blah.

Dan

 

[ChiefQM]

They only installed one shim - on the left side??

So far as I can see. The right side looks like it did before. I will have to compare with the photos I took earlier.

 

[navsnipe]

So far as I can see. The right side looks like it did before. I will have to compare with the photos I took earlier.

That's kind of crazy if they only put a tapered shim on the left side. There should be a tapered shim on each side of matching angles. I believe the only difference according to the TSB is the shim thickness.

 

[Tann3rth3hamm3r]

Wow there is no way someone should have to go through all this BS to figure out why a brand new truck has a bad shudder. I don't think this TSB will fix this vehicle as the issues seem beyond the shims ability to remedy it. Those driveline components will wear way faster and break even with a small amount of excess vibration over time. Those fixes aren't cheap either.

I'm going to ask the dealership for my deposit back if the TSB doesn't fix the shudder. Maybe wait till the 2021s come out. If the dealership won't give us our money back I will cut my losses and tell them to *uck off with their piece of garbage shuddering truck.

 

[VAMike]

Wow there is no way someone should have to go through all this BS to figure out why a brand new truck has a bad shudder. I don't think this TSB will fix this vehicle as the issues seem beyond the shims ability to remedy it. Those driveline components will wear way faster and break even with a small amount of excess vibration over time. Those fixes aren't cheap either.

I'm going to ask the dealership for my $1500 deposit back if the TSB doesn't fix the shudder. Maybe wait till the 2021s come out. If the dealership won't give us our money back I will cut my losses and tell them to *uck off with their piece of garbage shuddering truck.

good plan, you should do that

 

[ChiefQM]

I got under the truck with a good light and (I am getting too old to be rolling around on a concrete floor) found that there are shims on both sides. The left side shim is thicker than the right side shim, and the thick side of each shim faces forward.

As I am about 8 miles from where I can drive at highway speeds, I will get back to you on that.

In order, the photos are Left Front, Left Rear, Right Front, Right Rear

 

[Tann3rth3hamm3r]

I got under the truck with a good light and (I am getting too old to be rolling around on a concrete floor) found that there are shims on both sides. The left side shim is thicker than the right side shim, and the thick side of each shim faces forward.

As I am about 8 miles from where I can drive at highway speeds, I will get back to you on that.

In order, the photos are Left Front, Left Rear, Right Front, Right Rear

What does it matter if the shim kit/tsb doesn't actually fix it?

 

[ChiefQM]

What does it matter if the shim kit/tsb doesn't actually fix it?

It is 75% better. I have no illusions that they will be interested in solving the issue, as it will be on their dime unless Ford engineers finally figure out the real solution. I may run it by a driveshaft specialty place and see if they can shim the center bearing to see if that fixes it. If so, I will post it here.

 

[Big Blue]

you dont even own one yet and you're this angry?

I cant wait till you get it, this should be f'ing phenomenal to watch this tantrum explode.

I sit by patiently awaiting the sideshow spectacle

Watch his truck come in be smooth as silk with no shutter or vibration ... until he puts a lift on it. ?

 

[P. A. Schilke]

It is 75% better. I have no illusions that they will be interested in solving the issue, as it will be on their dime unless Ford engineers finally figure out the real solution. I may run it by a driveshaft specialty place and see if they can shim the center bearing to see if that fixes it. If so, I will post it here.

Hi Bill,

The fact that a TSB has been issued shows that the Ford Field Service Engineers have been involved. Their development would be on Stock Trucks and they have assessed that this fixes the majority of trucks... What cannot be tested is when there is a lifted truck...way too many variables, so when you mod your truck, you are in uncharted territory.

A possible robust fix would be a composite or aluminum driveshaft of one piece. Pretty expensive for Ford, so lets see what 2021 renders...

Best,
Phil Schilke
Ranger Vehicle Engineering
Ford Motor Co. Retired

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